Does Your Business Have the Flu?
Posted October 6, 2009 in Business, Productivity
You’ve heard all about the real flu, but did you know that your freelance business could get sick too?
A person with the flu doesn’t feel very good. They ache all over. Their throat may be sore or they may have a headache. They typically don’t even really want to get out of bed.
Not only does a person with the flu not feel very good. Generally, they don’t look very good either. They may be pale or flushed, depending on their symptoms. If someone with the flu does manage to make it out of bed and into the public, their hacking and coughing is going to make others around them uncomfortable.
All in all, the flu isn’t really much fun for anyone.
Symptoms of the Freelancing Flu
Freelancing businesses that have the “flu” have many of the same symptoms as a person with the flu:
- The freelancer doesn’t feel very good about his or her work
- He or she doesn’t want to do that work
- When they do their work it doesn’t look very good
- If that work gets out into the public it makes clients unhappy and uncomfortable
As you can see, there really are some parallels between the flu and the way some freelance businesses operate. Let’s take a look at what causes the freelancing flu, and what you can do about it.
Causes of the Freelancing Flu
The actual flu is a virus, caused by germs that are spread through contact or proximity with other people.
The freelancing flu, on the other hand, has many different causes. Some of those causes include:
- Boredom — The freelancer is bored with the type of work he or she is doing and gets sloppy.
- Overwork — The freelancer has too much work and doesn’t take the time to do a good job.
- Being in wrong niche or profession — The freelancer has chosen a niche or profession that he or she isn’t really suited for.
- Falling behind in your skill or industry knowledge — The freelancer has failed to keep up with industry standards.
- Anemic marketing — The freelancer doesn’t market his or her services, or barely markets them.
These causes often lead to a freelancer that feels unhappy, work that is low quality, and a business that is going downhill. If these are the causes of the freelancing flu, what could be the cure?
A Shot of “Medicine” for the Freelancing Flu
Fortunately, the cure for the freelancing “flu” is a little simpler than the cure for the real flu. For the real flu, there are vaccinations, but they don’t always work. There is also medicine to help one feel better, but it doesn’t always work.
(Disclaimer, this is not a medical blog and the previous paragraph does not constitute actual medical advice.)
The best cure for the freelancing flu is a good, hard dose of reality. Unlike with the real flu, if this “cure” is applied properly (and if the freelancer follows through), it nearly always works.
If you suspect that your freelancing business has a case of the freelancing flu, here are some questions that you need to ask yourself:
- Do I find my work to be dull, uninteresting, or tedious?
- Am I overloaded with work or personal problems?
- When was the last time I took some time off to rest?
- Do I need some additional training?
- Would I rather do something else with my life?
- Do my marketing efforts and/or website misrepresent my business?
If you are absolutely honest when you answer these questions, you may find them to be a bit of an eye-opener about the problems your freelance business is having. You may even discover the “cure” for your particular case of freelancing flu.
In fact, if you answered “yes” to questions 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 then you should re-evaluate what you are doing. Each of these questions points to a specific problem that some freelancers may have. Yet, each problem can be solved if the freelancer is willing to approach it directly.
Overall, the cure for the freelancing flu is to face your current situation head-on, and decide on a way to proceed that you feel good about. Once you do that you’ll find the symptoms start to go away.
What are Your Solutions?
How would you advise a freelancer who is struggling with the “freelancing flu“?
Have you ever struggled with a case of the freelancing flu? If so, how did you solve it?
Share your ideas and experiences in the comments.
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About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 20 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts. Laura is also on Google+.
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21 Comments
Lexi Rodrigo
October 6th, 2009 at 10:25 amMy business hasn’t gotten the flu but it does get the sniffles now and then. Here are simple remedies that have helped:
* taking a vacation – even a mini-vacation helps
* cutting down on work
* getting rid of clients I don’t like
* revamping my professional site
* increasing my rates
* rethinking the services I provide
* reviewing my reasons for freelancing
* setting new goals or adjusting old ones
* reading freelancing sites like Freelancefolder.com – seriously!
Hope this helps!
Lexi
Laura Spencer
October 6th, 2009 at 10:31 amGreat solutions Lexi!
Thanks for the list. :)
Keep the comments coming.
Matt Keegan
October 6th, 2009 at 11:31 amI won’t compare how I’ve felt from time to time with the flu, perhaps a cold and even then usually only of the 24-hour variety.
When I’m bored, grow dull or otherwise need a break, I take one. I’m no good to my clients nor does my family need a crabby daddy or hubby who just can’t shake his funk.
Laura Spencer
October 6th, 2009 at 12:11 pmThat’s a very important point Matt! If you need a break, then you should take it. It’s one of the ways to keep your business from getting sick.
Keep the ideas coming. . .
Mason Hipp
October 6th, 2009 at 2:33 pmI’ve definitely run into the business flu in a few different businesses. I think it’s almost inevitable that at some point in your career you’ll find yourself overwhelmed, bored, or otherwise not sure of your plan.
During those times it’s critical to do what Laura said — step back, take a cold splash of reality, and then reconsider where you want to go in your business. If you manage yourself carefully your business flu can be limited to a few days or a week, which in the scheme of things is perfectly alright for any business.
Great article :-)
Laura Spencer
October 6th, 2009 at 3:05 pmThanks Mason!
I think everyone is susceptible to getting the freelancing flu from time to time. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re bad at what you do, or in the wrong profession (although it could mean that).
I think the most often cause is the need to take a break.
(If you haven’t had it yet, look at the symptoms. Chances are you may recognize yourself.)
Eduardo Portillo
October 6th, 2009 at 7:32 pmAs in real flu we can consider a vaccination, it can be try to avoid messy clients or jobs somo jobs can be apparently simple but can take too many time to make it and it can mess up with other more “juicy” jobs, sometimes has happen to me that one of these “simple jobs” become real monster that put in danger the other jobs and that make my days really miserable so I try to avoid that “easy jobs” and some clients that give me that kind of jobs.
Laura Spencer
October 6th, 2009 at 7:41 pmA vaccination! I love that idea.
Thanks for the contribution Eduardo. . .
Ollie
October 7th, 2009 at 2:53 amI’m no freelancer but I’ll throw my vote nonetheless. I’ve been working in this company for three years so far, doing what I love, but now I feel something is wrong about it – I cannot do my job – because when I do, I get a very strong shot of distaste. I wondered what it could be, and found out I cannot do the job anymore – I do things automatically now, no brain activity, and that’s what I, apparently, don’t like.
So I decided to go into another department, will see if I get permission. If not, I will have to decide what to do next.
But it does hurt to realize that my work gets crappy because of that…
Mike
October 7th, 2009 at 3:25 amI totally recommend taking some time out, reassess your goals and discover why you wanted to freelance in the first place. It doesn’t have to be an expensive holiday but just go somewhere you enjoy and take a few steps back from the situation.
Pothi
October 7th, 2009 at 9:53 amAn interesting post! I did have freelancing flu at times. For me, taking a break for a few hours or a day would usually bring back my usual energy.
Laura Spencer
October 7th, 2009 at 10:06 amThanks Ollie – you bring up a valid point. People in any profession can become restless in their jobs.
Mike and Pothi – Thanks for sharing your advice and experience. You both have great points.
Chris
October 7th, 2009 at 10:20 amJust like a few others said, taking a break helps. I’d also say rewarding yourself and going back over what you have done. Going over your accomplishments, as well as your older accomplishments, gives you a sense of… well accomplishment. You can use this as a confidence booster and possibly pull some new goals to shoot for.
Solomon
October 7th, 2009 at 10:40 amWhenever there is a lull in the work, I feel it’s always better to leave it at that and do something else like taking up the much postponed chores like checking a new house, or something or taking a vacation. It helped me a lot to overcome the lean and scary phase. And it fell in place, like every time it does, after that stretch of time. Of course, this Gyan came through much experience, though!
Rebecca
October 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pmFinding your niche market is a must. I thought I could be a “generalist” but found out quickly that I will not be everything to everyone. Drilling down your niche may seem daunting at first, but you’ll be free once you do!
Alex Lim
October 8th, 2009 at 7:04 amPersonally, if the business has recurrent flu, it’s better to just drop it off and make a change. You might be lacking some vitamin C, so take a rest, evaluate and create some future plans. Make up your mind and decide you what really want and be realistic enough in doing this.
It’s better to start again from a blank paper than try to iron a crumpled torn one.
Laura Spencer
October 8th, 2009 at 10:54 amWhat a great discussion this is!
Chris – That’s a great confidence booster that you suggest. I’ve actually done that myself.
Solomon – If you do personal chores at such times, at least your work and your personal life won’t both get bogged down, right?
Rebecca – Not working in the right niche could very well be a cause of the freelancing “flu.” Thanks for the insight.
Alex – Good advice!
WritingItRightForYou
October 11th, 2009 at 2:17 pmGreat comments from everyone! I tell myself that it is OK for me to take an actual siesta (afternoon nap) almost EVERY DAY!
I remind myself that I am NOT working a 9-to-5; and I have the luxury of following my own bio-rhythms. I am naturally a very early riser; I always have been. Actually works great since I have clients in so many world wide time zones.
But my energy wanes about 1:30 or 2; it has been that way all of my life. So I take a nap! Then I can get back to work, refreshed. If I’m not done for the day “at 5″, so what? I work for myself so I can start the day when I want and finish the day when I want.
I try not to feel guilty. (You can see I’m still trying to justify to myself…I’m working on it!)
seo market
November 12th, 2010 at 1:09 amI think your blog is excellent some very interesting views in your articles
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